Dave McLuckie jailed for eight months for perverting the course of justice.11:22am Friday 12th July 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Graeme Hetherington .

Jailed: Dave McLuckieJailed: Dave McLuckie

THE former chairman of Cleveland Police Authority has been sentenced to eight months in prison for perverting the course of justice.

Dave McLuckie was convicted after a week-long trial at Newcastle Crown Court last month.

The 52-year-old showed no emotion when the sentence was passed this morning by Judge David Wood.

His fall from grace has seen him resign from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and he is on 'gardening leave' from his post at Cleveland Potash.

Sentencing McLuckie, the judge said: "This kind of offence strikes at the heart of the legal system, so is regarded so seriously that only custody is an option."

McLuckie was found guilty of persuading his friend Maurice Ward to take three speeding points on his behalf to avoid being banned from driving in 2005.

Today his actions were compared to those of former MP Chris Huhne who was given the same sentence after he persuaded his former wife to take speeding points for him.

Imposing the eight month sentence, Judge Wood said: "You were a man in position of responsibility, a councillor, a member of Cleveland Police Authority and a person of standing in the local community."

Judge Wood added: "You didn't plead guilty to this offence and as a result you did cause a great deal of distress to the widow and her family." .

Related links?Cleveland Police finance chief resigns.. .Julian Smith, defending, told the court that his client was worried about being sent to prison as a result of his connections to Cleveland Police through his role as the former chairman of the police authority.

Speaking about his conviction in his pre-sentence report, McLuckie said: "It has destroyed everything that I have ever been."

As he was led away to the cells, McLuckie blew a kiss to his partner and daughter.